Tonight the Richmond Kickers face off against the New York Greek American Atlas of the U.S. Adult Soccer Association (USASA) for the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup.
Tonight the Richmond Kickers face off against the New York Greek American Atlas of the U.S. Adult Soccer Association (USASA) for the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup.
If the Kickers win this evening they will host the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer (MLS). The New England Revolution won the U.S. Open Cup in 2007.
New York Greek American Atlas is one of the oldest clubs, formed in 1941, and is one of the most successful in the U.S. Open Cup, winning four times in 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1974 and is just one of two teams to win three consecutive times, along with the Seattle Sounders. The 2013 Region I Amateur Cup Champions upset the Ocean City Nor’Easters 2-0 in the Second Round, and advanced to play the Kickers tonight.
The Kickers advanced to the Third Round after beating RVA FC, 6-1, from the Second Round on May 14. The 2014 season marks the 16th time the Richmond Kickers have qualified for the U.S. Open Cup over the past 21 seasons. They claimed the U.S. Open Cup title the first year of the Professional Era in 1995 and have since made it to the quarterfinal round five times (1995, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2011) and the semifinal round twice (1995, 2011). Defeating five Major League Soccer teams along the way, including Colorado Rapids in 2000, D.C. United in 2004, LA Galaxy in 2007, and Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City in 2011, the Kickers became the first lower division team to defeat back-to-back MLS teams on the road.
Some players to watch out for tonight are midfielder Josh Trott (#9), who scored both goals in the 2-0 upset against the Ocean City Nor’Easters, and the club’s leading scorer, Chris Megaloudis (#10) who splits his time between the NY Greek American Atlas and the Long Island Rough Riders of the USL Premier Development League. The forward also spent the 2008 season with the New York Red Bulls. For the Kickers, forward Tishan Hanley (#9) made his Kickers’ scoring debut during the U.S. Open Cup Second Round game, with back-to-back goals in the 6-1 win. Adding a pair of goals against Charlotte last week, midfielder George Davis IV (#11) ranks second on the USL PRO scoring charts with seven goals and two assists during the regular season, adding an eighth during the U.S. Open Cup tournament.
Tickets for tonight’s U.S. Open Cup Third Round match are just $5.00 all ages. Wild Wolf Wednesday tickets are also available for $10 and include admission and two of the Kickers official craft beers, Kick It Hunny (ages 21+only). Order tickets here
